Saskatchewan has one of the lowest job vacancy rates in the country

Even with a small increase in unfilled jobs, Saskatchewan still has one of the lowest vacancy rates in Canada.

A new report for the third quarter of 2019 from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) showed a 2.3 per cent private sector vacancy rate in the province. That’s up from 2.2 per cent last quarter.

Saskatchewan businesses are looking to fill 7,900 open positions.

The national rate came in at 3.2 per cent.

Only Alberta (2.2 per cent) and Prince Edward Island (1.9) edged out Saskatchewan. Quebec (4.0) and B.C. (3.8) topped the list.

For those markets with high vacancy rates, small businesses are hit the hardest. Ted Mallett, CFIB’s chief economist, explained in a press release.

“The smallest of firms, those with fewer than five employees, are having the hardest time recruiting workers, with a vacancy rate as high as 5.4 per cent,” he wrote.

“Unfilled positions add up overtime, bringing down firms’ productivity levels and ultimately their ability to be profitable and to grow.”